Trip Report - Turneffe Island Resort

[Downing]

My wife insisted on bringing a rented satellite phone with us last time. Big waste of money, imho. I'm pretty sure she won't do that again.

 

[mantagirl]

Actually, last time I was at Turneffe, I fell and broke my hand. One of my guests had a sat phone and I was able to use it to call my doctor. I was very glad I had it available since the boat didn't go back to BC for two days to take me in.

But in general....there is connectivity if you really need it.

 

[Stoo]

But in general....there is connectivity if you really need it.

As I mentioned they do have a sat phone there which you can use for minimal cost, as well as an Internet enabled computer. (We used the phone once to call DAN.)

My wife had an ear problem which required a trip to Belize City and we were fortunate that their big boat was going in for supplies the next day.

I should add that Ed the Captain found us a cab, accompanied us to the clinic (where an appointment had been made with an ENT Specialist, in a very-well equipped clinic), then returned later to pick us up and get us back to the boat. Service that was "above and beyond" what I would have expected...

 

[Downing]

I tried to talk her out of it, explaining TIL had a phone at the office if she really had to make or receive a call, but she was nervous and it made her feel better so what the heck, why not. I think she used it once, to call our daughter, just to say hi. Total cost on the rental was at least $100, probably more. I didn't want to know.

Our second week on the island one of the guest racked up quite the bill on the computer as he had either forgotten or didn't know about the $1 a minute charge. Apparently he'd been web surfing all week not realizing he was spending money doing it. He wasn't happy about it but accepted the good-natured teasing at the Friday night barbecue with grace.

Other than emailing our kids from Belize City to let them know we arrived ok, I didn't go near a telephone, television or computer for two weeks, which suited me just fine. Of course, I did listen to my iPod hooked up to my SoundDock everyday, but hey, a man's gotta live.

 

[Gaz]

Sorry in this day and age where people use the interent so much TIL really has no reason to gauge guests like that for using the internet $1 a minute is daylight robbery and a resort the class of TIL should know better.

Most likely they have a satellite internet connection Starband is $100 a month and Hughs is $80 a month I am sure with the amount that TIL charges to stay and dive there they could provide this service for free or at least a nominal weekly charge

$1 a minute in this day and age is just not acceptable


Gaz

 

[Downing]

I don't disagree with you, Gaz, but as far as I'm concerned I'd happily settle for better coffee rather than cheaper or even free internet service.

I'm wired in all day every day pretty much everywhere I go. So when I go on vacation to a place like TIR to get away from it all, I really want to get away from it all.

Except good coffee.

 

[Gaz]

I don't disagree with you, Gaz, but as far as I'm concerned I'd happily settle for better coffee rather than cheaper or even free internet service.

I'm wired in all day every day pretty much everywhere I go. So when I go on vacation to a place like TIR to get away from it all, I really want to get away from it all.

Except good coffee.

Agreed Downing but some people dont have the luxury of being able to not check in with business while on vacation. I won a cruise playing poker, party poker $1 Million and went on that cruise for a week only to be met with the same thing Internet was so expensive it was ridiculous but I had to check in every day even if it was only for an hour I had to do it.

I just think everywhere that possible should give the customer the option if possible and for free or a nominal charge at most.

There is really no justification other than taking advantage

Gaz

 

[Stoo]

There is really no justification other than taking advantage

I don't disagree. I sort of implied in my original post that there were a few instances where I sort of felt we were being "nickel and dimed" for some items. Drinks were quite pricey, Nitrox was more expensive than other places I've been, extra dives were also pricey.

My wife missed a few days of diving, and no credit was offered towards my extra dives, as they once were in a similar situation at Little Cayman Beach Club a few years ago.

As Gaz points out, for the price of this place, a few "freebies" would be well received.

None the less, it remains high on our list of places to return to...

 

[diverrex]

None the less, it remains high on our list of places to return to...

And there's the answer.

 

[redgym]

I don't disagree. I sort of implied in my original post that there were a few instances where I sort of felt we were being "nickel and dimed" for some items. Drinks were quite pricey, Nitrox was more expensive than other places I've been, extra dives were also pricey.

My wife missed a few days of diving, and no credit was offered towards my extra dives, as they once were in a similar situation at Little Cayman Beach Club a few years ago.

As Gaz points out, for the price of this place, a few "freebies" would be well received.

None the less, it remains high on our list of places to return to...

I agree that the price of some items/services were on the high side, but they know they have you when you're on a 14 acre private island 30 miles from BC. There are ways around some of the charges, but if you want to use the phone or internet you're stuck.

On the other hand, my wife broke a flip flop while she was there and Chris bought a couple of pairs for her when the boat was in town the next day. He passed along the cost w/out a markup (or charge for his time) and put the other pair in the guest shop.

I thought the suggested gratuities were way out of line. Too low for the DMs and too high for just about everyone else. Why should I be expected to tip the gardeners, etc?